Robinho future in the balance

29 May 2010 11:32:12

| Submit Comments| Comments (39)| Printable Version1/1Play SlideshowClose MapRobinhoRobinho has called on Roberto Mancini to give him the chance to make a new start away from City. And the Blues hierarchy must now decide whether to cut their losses on the Brazilian playmaker. Robinho has indicated that he wants to stay in his native country with Santos, who he joined on loan from City at the end of January. The problem is there is no way the Brazilian club could afford his transfer fee or match his salary at City. AC Milan have not made any contact with the Blues regarding the 26-year-old, despite reports indicating their interest in signing him. Robinho still has three years to run on his contract at Eastlands, and Mancini has indicated in the past he expects the Brazilian to return to Manchester after the World Cup. But the playmaker himself has other ideas, stating he wants to extend the loan, which is due to expire in early August. He said: ?I want to return to Santos after the World Cup as a champion and then extend the loan to 2011. ?I want to win titles with Santos and my agents are organising talks with City. ?Everything is up to them, but if it was up to me then I would stay with Santos. I?m happy there, enjoying my football and I?m going to the World Cup in good form and feeling relaxed.? It is understood that City would listen to offers of around £25m for Robinho, who smashed the British transfer record when he arrived at Eastlands from Real Madrid in September 2008. The £32.5m signing was brought in on a £160,000-a-week deal, and got his Blues career off to a great start by scoring on his debut against Chelsea. He finished as City?s top scorer during his first season, netting 15 goals in all competitions. But his inconsistent displays were a source of frustration to City?s then-manager Mark Hughes ? and murmurings about his long-term future did not take long to surface. And while Mancini has refused to rule out a Robinho return, it looks increasingly likely that his future lies away from England. What do you think? Have your say.